EU Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security
Greens/EFA Group issues alternative EU strategy
Regarding today's presentation by High Representative Mogherini of the Global Strategy, Bodil Valero, Greens/EFA spokesperson on security and defence says: "Since 2003 when the last EU security strategy was written the security landscape has changed dramatically. It is unfortunate that the new strategy, which aims to provide guidance for years to come, is being presented at a time when European leaders are discussing the exit of one of the EU's main diplomatic and military powers. The strategy does not at all take into account Brexit. We welcome parts of Mogherini's strategy but stress that it sets the wrong priorities in many respects. The strategy puts disproportionate emphasis on the military dimension of EU foreign policy. As Greens we reject the idea of using EU military operations as a means of controlling EU borders in the Mediterranean or combating criminals. We are also critical to the suggestion of using EU civilian funds for launching an EU defence research programme. Instead of militarising the Union, the EU should boost its conflict prevention capacities and contribute significantly to peacekeeping abroad. The Greens/EFA Group has today issued 27 specific recommendations on how to make a substantial contribution to security and peace."
